Duke of Atholl facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dukedom of Atholl
Quarterly: 1st, Paly of six Or and Sable (for Atholl); 2nd, Or a Fess chequy Azure and Argent (for Stewart); 3rd, Argent on a Bend Azure three Stags' Heads cabossed Or (for Stanley); 4th, Gules three Legs in armour Proper garnished and spurred Or flexed and conjoined in triangle at the upper part of the thigh (ensigns of the Isle of Man); over all, an Inescutcheon en surtout Azure three Mullets Argent within a Double tressure flory Or ensigned of a Marquess's coronet (for Chiefship of Murray).
Creation date	1703
Monarch	Anne
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	John Murray, 2nd Marquess of Atholl
Present holder	Bruce Murray, 12th Duke
Heir apparent	Michael Bruce John Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine
Remainder to	the 1st Duke's heirs male of the body lawfully begotten, with special remainder to the heirs male of the body lawfully begotten of the 1st Marquess
Subsidiary titles	Marquess of Tullibardine Marquess of Atholl Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle Earl of Tullibardine Earl of Atholl Viscount of Balquhidder, Glenalmond and Glenlyn Viscount of Balquhidder Lord Murray, Balvenie and Gask Lord Murray, Gask and Balquhidder Lord Murray of Tullibardine
Seat(s)	Blair Castle
Former seat(s)	Dunkeld House

The Duke of Atholl is an important title in Scotland. It is named after the area of Atholl and is held by the leader of Clan Murray. This special title was created in 1703 by Queen Anne for John Murray, who was the 2nd Marquess of Atholl.

The Duke of Atholl also holds many other titles. These include Marquess of Tullibardine and Earl of Strathtay and Strathardle. From 1786 to 1957, the Dukes of Atholl were also known as Earl Strange. This allowed them to be part of the House of Lords, which is a part of the British Parliament.

Today, the Duke's oldest son and future heir is called the Marquess of Tullibardine. The next in line is called the Earl of Strathtay. The Duke of Atholl is also the traditional chief of Clan Murray.

Family History of the Dukes of Atholl

James Murray,
2nd Duke of Atholl, KT

The Murray family, who hold the Atholl title, has a long history in Scotland. An early ancestor, Sir William Murray, lived at Tullibardine in Perthshire. His grandson, Sir John Murray, received the title of Lord Murray of Tullibardine in 1604. He later became the Earl of Tullibardine in 1606.

Later, John Murray, a descendant of the first Earl of Tullibardine, was made the Earl of Atholl in 1629. His son, also named John Murray, became the 2nd Earl of Atholl. In 1676, he received even more titles, including Marquess of Atholl.

His son, John Murray, became the 2nd Marquess. In 1703, he was given the highest title: Duke of Atholl. This made him the first Duke.

The first Duke's oldest son, William Murray, was involved in a rebellion in 1715. Because of this, he was removed from the line of succession. So, the first Duke's third son, James, became the 2nd Duke. James also inherited the title of Baron Strange and became Lord of Mann (ruler of the Isle of Man).

When James, the 2nd Duke, died without living sons, his nephew, John, became the 3rd Duke. This John was the son of Lord George Murray, who had also been involved in a rebellion. However, the House of Lords decided that John could still inherit the titles. The 3rd Duke and his wife sold their rights over the Isle of Man to the British Crown.

John Stewart-Murray,
7th Duke of Atholl, KT

The 3rd Duke's son, John, became the 4th Duke. In 1786, he was given the titles of Baron Murray and Earl Strange. These titles allowed him to sit in the House of Lords. The 4th Duke also sold the remaining family rights in the Isle of Man to the British Crown.

His son, John, became the 5th Duke. He never married or had children. So, his nephew, George Murray, became the 6th Duke. George was already the 2nd Baron Glenlyon, a title created for his father in 1821.

The 6th Duke's son, John, became the 7th Duke. He also inherited the title of Baron Percy. He changed the family name to Stewart-Murray and later changed the spelling of "Athole" back to "Atholl".

When the 9th Duke, James Stewart-Murray, died in 1957, some of the English titles, like Baron Murray and Earl Strange, ended. The title of Baron Percy went to another family member. The title of Baron Strange became "abeyant," meaning it was put on hold.

The Dukedom of Atholl and its Scottish titles then passed to Iain Murray, a distant cousin. He was the highest-ranking Scottish peer without an automatic seat in the House of Lords. However, in 1958, he was elected as a Scottish Representative Peer, allowing him to join the House of Lords. Later, a new law in 1963 allowed all Scottish hereditary peers to sit in the House of Lords.

The 10th Duke never married. When he died in 1996, his cousin, John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl, became the Duke. The 11th Duke passed away in 2012, and his oldest son, Bruce Murray, became the current 12th Duke of Atholl.

Other Notable Family Members

Lord Mungo Murray (Am Morair Mungo Moireach),1668-1700 wearing a belted plaid about 1680. Son of 1st Marquess of Atholl.

Lt-Gen Lord George Murray.

Many other members of the Murray family have been important figures.

• Lord Charles Murray, the second son of the 1st Marquess, became the Earl of Dunmore in 1686.
• Lord George Murray, the fifth son of the 1st Duke, was a famous general during the Jacobite rebellions.
• Lord John Murray, the eighth son of the 1st Duke, was a soldier and politician.
• Lord George Murray, the second son of the 3rd Duke, became a bishop. His son, George Murray, also became a bishop.
• Sir Herbert Harley Murray, another son of Bishop George Murray, was the Governor of Newfoundland.
• Lord James Murray, the second son of the 4th Duke, was a soldier and politician. He was created Baron Glenlyon in 1821.
• Dame Kitty Stewart-Murray, the wife of the 8th Duke, was a politician. She was the first woman to serve in a Conservative government in the UK.
• Comedian Al Murray is also a descendant of this family.

Traditional Residence and Military Command

Blair Castle, Perthshire

The main home of the Dukes of Atholl is Blair Castle. This historic castle is located in Perthshire, Scotland. The family has owned other castles and homes in the past too.

The Dukes of Atholl are traditionally buried in the family burial ground. It is next to the ruins of St Bride's Kirk, near Blair Castle. This church has been there since at least 1134.

The Duke of Atholl also commands a special private army called the Atholl Highlanders. This is the only legal private army in Europe! It is based at Blair Castle.

Dukes of Atholl (1703)

• John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl (1660–1724)
• James Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl (1690–1764)
• John Murray, 3rd Duke of Atholl (1729–1774)
• John Murray, 4th Duke of Atholl (1755–1830)
• John Murray, 5th Duke of Atholl (1778–1846)
• George Augustus Frederick John Murray, 6th Duke of Atholl (1814–1864)
• John James Hugh Henry Stewart-Murray, 7th Duke of Atholl (1840–1917)
• John George Stewart-Murray, 8th Duke of Atholl (1871–1942)
• James Stewart-Murray, 9th Duke of Atholl (1879–1957)
• George Iain Murray, 10th Duke of Atholl (1931–1996)
• John Murray, 11th Duke of Atholl (1929–2012)
• Bruce George Ronald Murray, 12th Duke of Atholl (born 1960)

The heir apparent (next in line) is the current Duke's oldest son, Michael Bruce John Murray, Marquess of Tullibardine (born 1985).

Coat of Arms

Arms of Duke of Atholl

Adopted Matriculated at the Lyon Court Coronet That of a Duke Crest Dexter, on a Wreath Argent and Azure a Mermaid holding in her dexter Hand a Mirror and in her sinister a Comb all Proper Or (for Murray); centre, on a Wreath Or and Sable a Demi-savage Proper wreathed about the temples and waist with Laurel his arms extended and holding in the right hand a Dagger, in the left a Key all Proper (for Atholl); sinister, on a Wreath Argent and Azure a Peacock's head and neck Proper accompanied on either side by two Arms from the elbows Proper and vested in Maunches Azure doubled Argent. Helm That of a Duke Escutcheon Quarterly: 1st, Paly of six Or and Sable (for Atholl); 2nd, Or a Fess chequy Azure and Argent (for Stewart); 3rd, Argent on a Bend Azure three Stags' Heads cabossed Or (for Stanley); 4th, Gules three Legs in armour Proper garnished and spurred Or flexed and conjoined in triangle at the upper part of the thigh (ensigns of the Isle of Man); over all, an Inescutcheon en surtout Azure three Mullets Argent within a Double tressure flory Or ensigned of a Marquess's coronet (for Chiefship of Murray). Supporters Dexter, a Savage Proper wreathed about the temples and loins with Juniper his feet in Fetters the Chain held in his right hand Proper; sinister, a Lion rampant Gules armed and langued Azure gorged with a plain Collar of the Last charged with three Mullets Argent. Motto (Above the crests) Dexter, Tout prest ("Quite ready"); centre, Furth fortune and fill the fetters; sinister, Praite ("Ready"). Orders Order of the Thistle circlet (displayed by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th & 8th dukes (the 8th, who died 1942, also being GCVO)

Heraldry Symbols

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  Murray family symbol

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  Stewart of Atholl family symbol

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  Stanley family symbol

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  Isle of Man symbol

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  Arms of John Murray, 1st Earl of Atholl

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  Arms of John Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl

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  Arms of the 2nd to 4th Dukes of Atholl

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  Arms of the 7th to 9th Dukes of Atholl

Family Tree

See also

• Clan Murray
• Murray (surname)
• Earl of Dunmore
• Atholl
• Atholl Highlanders
• Atolovo, a Bulgarian village named after the eighth Duke